Agents opened fire when driver with Ill. plates reached for a stun gun

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HELENA, Mont. — Border patrol agents shot and killed a man near the Canadian border Friday after he reached for object later determined to be a stun gun, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official said.

The two agents were on regular patrol along the Canadian border when they spotted a stolen car with Illinois license plates.

“As the border patrol agents attempted to question the individual, he abruptly reached for an object in his back pocket area that was later determined to be a stun gun,” said Ted Denning, acting chief patrol agent for the Havre Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Denning said the agents fired “in an act of self defense.” The identity of the victim was not released.

The agents involved likely will be placed on administrative duty while the shooting is investigated, said Mario Villarreal, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman.